Collapsible display-case.



1. F. GOETZ.

CO'LLAPSIBLE DISPLAY CASE. APPLICATION FILED" FEB- 23, 3915- Pmm Feb. 5, 11918. 2 SHEETS-82) M F61). 2 swims-smite.

J F. GOETZ COLLAPSIBLE DBSPLIW CASE. APPLICATION mm ran. 23. was.

55 of the structure in a partially folded or col- JOSEEH FRANCIS GOETZ, 01F DAYTON, OHIO.

COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY-CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 5, rare.

Application filed February 23, 1915. Serial No. 9,956.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrn: Fnancrs Gonrz, citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Display-Cases, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to collapsible containers and more particularly to a folding show case especially adapted for the use of persons attending open or street markets, itinerant mechants, or for use by store keepers for temporarily displaying goods either outside or inside their stores.

While the device is herein shown and described as a collapsible or foldable display case, the device is further capable of use as a collapsible storage or shipping crate, as a collapsible cold frame for gardners use or as a collapsible coop for the use of poultrymen.

The above are a few of the many uses to which the device may be applied, it being understood that the proportions of the device may be varied to suit the different applications.

The object of the invention is to simplify the structure as well as the means and mode of operation of such folding structures whereby they will not only be cheapened in construction, but will be more efficient in use. staunch and strong when set up. easily and readily collapsed and extended, having a minimum number of parts, and unlikely to get out of repair.

With the above primary and other incidental obiects in view. as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof. and the mode of operation or their equivalents, as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device in its extended or set-up position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. showing bv dot and dash lines and by dotted lines different stages of the flattening or vertical folding movement of the structure. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the frame. different stages of the transverse or laterallv folding movement of which are indicated by dot and dash and by dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the frame lapsed condition. The succeeding stage of the movement necessary to complete the collapsing or folding of the structure is indicated in this view by dotted lines. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the frame of the structure completely folded. Fig. 6 is a reduced plan view of the apron or cover removed from the frame. Fig. 7 is a detail view of a isomer of the frame constructed of angle ars.

Like parts are indicated by similar char acters of reference throughout the several views.

The device comprises a collapsible skeleton frame and a separable apron or cover therefor of flex ble material which, when the device is to be used as a display case, is also transparent.

The skeleton structure comprises two rectangular frames composed of the side members 1-23-4 and 5-678 which are hinged or pivoted one to the other at the points a, a a and a, and b, b b and 6", respectively. The hinged relation of the members of each frame is such that, by oscillation of the frame members about their 7 pivotal connections one with another, the frame members may be reduced from a rectangular form to an rhomboidal formation, which movement, being continued, reduces the frame members to parallelism. During their movement from extended to closed form the opposite sides of the frame maintain parallel relation one with the other and describe a movement somewhat similar to the movement of a parallel rule. The upper and lower rectangular frames are connected ,one to the other by vertical struts 9-10-1 1- 12 which are hinged or pivoted to the upper and lower frames at the points 0, c c and c and d, d d d respectively. The pivoted or hinged connections of the struts of the upper and lower frame members are such that the frame members and struts form parallelograms which are capable of movement throughout varying degrees of rhombic formation to parallelism. The folding or collapsing movement of the up per and lower frames is best shown in Fig. 3 while the folding or collapsing movement of the sides comprising the struts and connected frame members is best shown in Fig. 2. It will thus be seen that the members comprising the skeleton frame are capable of swinging movement in two planes. That is, they are capable of movement about verse plane.

pivotal connections 0", c, 0 and cfland (2", (Z2, (Z and al in a vertlcal plane and are further capable of swinging movement about the pivotal connections a, a a, and a, and 6', b b and b in a horizontal or trans- It is immaterial which movement is completed first. That is, the frame may be collapsed to a horizontal plane by the swinging movement of the struts and subsequently collapsed horizontally by the swinging movement of the frame members or the operation may be reversed and the initial movement may be in a horizontal direction and the vertical movement or oscillation of the struts may occur subsequent thereto. It is likewise possible to collapse the frame by simultaneous movement in both directions, in which case the frame will be given a diagonal movement, the resultant of the two swinging movements before ment oned.

Either or all dimensions of the skeleton frame may be extended to vary the shape and size of the structure. The frame members and struts may comprise squared bars of wood, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, or they may be angle bars, as shown in Fig. 7. Supported in suitable brackets 13 upon one of the base frame bars is a revoluble roller 14:. The roller 14. moves with the frame member in its swinging movement.

Upon the roller 1 1 there is adapted to be rolled an apron or cover 15 of such size and shape. that when extended it will cover the skeleton frame. It may be secured to the frame in extended position by any suitable form of buttons or fastening devices 16. The apron or cover is preferably cruciform in'shape, as shown in Fig. 6. The lateral flapsl? of the cruciform apron cover. the opposite sides of the skeleton frame while the sections 18, 1 9, and 20cover the rear. top,

and front of the frame, respectively. When the apron or cover is to be rolled upon the roller .14 preparatory to folding the frame, the lateral flaps 17 are folded inward toward each other upon the central section 19, as indicated by dotted lines. These flaps, together with the main section, are then rolled upon the roller 14. The roller 14 may be operated by hand if so desired but is preferably a spring actuated roller of that type generally known as Hartshorn curtain roller. lVhen the structure is to be used as a display case the apron or cover consists of a sheet of celluloid'or other flexible transparent material. When it is to be employed merely forlthe purpose of protecting the contents from flies or lnsects a curtain or 7 A cover of wire screen enables the device to be usedas a poultry coop.

l obvioustha the mller lt may be omitted and the apron or cover be separable from the frame and adapted to be secured thereto by the buttons or fastening devices 16 without departing from the spirit of the invention. However, the roller will form a convenient method of storing the apron or cover when the structure is collapsed. Any suitable form of fastening devices or hooks such as at 21 may be employed for maintaining the structure in its upright position.

In the drawings the extension of the structure when folded is toward the right in both Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. It is obvious that by reversing the hinge connections both movements might be in the opposite directions. It is. equally obvious that one swinging movement might be toward the right and the other toward the left. These modifications would not in any way change the appearance or general construction of the structure and are so apparent as not to need special illustration. They involve merely the reversal of the hinges.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form,

proportion, detail construction, or arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

l/Vhile in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to certain structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific details but that the means and construction herein described comprise but one mode of putting the invention into effect and the invention is therefore claimed broadly in any of its possible forms or modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a collapsible skeleton structure of the character described, the combination of two rectangular frames spaced one from the other in parallel planes, each frame com prising two parallel spaced members and transverse members connecting said parallel members one to the other, diagonally disposed pivotal connections between each of the transverse members and the parallel members, whereby the transverse members of each frame may swing laterally in unison neaaaor laterally in unison while maintaining the parallel relation of the respective frame members.

2. In a collapsible skeleton structure as described, the combination of two rectangular frames spaced one from the other in parallel relation, each frame comprising two parallel side members and interposed transverse members the ends of which are to abut upon the inner faces of the parallel members, pivotal connections between the transverse members and the parallel members whereby said transverse members are permitted a limited swinging movement in relation with the parallel members limited in one direction by the engagement of the ends of the transverse members with the inner faces of the parallel members and limited in the opposite direction by the engagement of the lateral faces of the transverse members with said parallel members, and interposed struts between the said frame members perpendicular to the planes of said members, pivotal connections between the struts and Y frame members whereby the struts are permitted a swinging movement limited in one direction by the engagement of the ends of the struts with the frame members and limited in the opposite direction by the engagement of the lateral faces of said struts with the frame members.

3. In a collapsible skeleton frame of the character described, the combination of two rectangular frame members spaced one from the other in parallel planes, each frame comprising a plurality of side members hinged one to another and foldable to parallelism one with the other in a common plane, and a plurality of interposed struts perpendicular to the planes of said spaced frames and hinged thereto whereby they are foldable to parallelism one with another and with the planes of said frames, whereby the members constituting said frames and the interposed struts are foldable in relation one with another into a compact body in which the struts and frame members will all be parallel each with the other.

4:. In a collapsible construction of the character described, the combination with a skeleton structure comprising two series of frame members and interposed strut members all foldable into parallelism each with the others, a roller mounted upon one of the foldable members, and a cover sheet carried by the roller adapted to inclose the skeleton frame when in erected position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of February A. D.

JOSEPH FRANCIS GOE'IZ. Witnesses:

HARRY F. NOLAN, CARRIE M. Rncnnn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the commissioner at Watenta,

Washington, D. U. 

